How One Woman Excelled in Athletics, Journalism, Venture Capital

Aviation executive Bonny Simi describes her fascinating journey as an airline pilot, Olympic athlete, TV reporter, venture capitalist, and executive at Joby Aviation.

Thom Patterson

Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 11:18 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

Bonny Simi, a Joby Aviation executive, has had an extraordinary career spanning Olympic athletics, TV journalism, venture capital, and commercial airline piloting, breaking barriers for women in each field.
Her passion for aviation was ignited in childhood and cultivated through critical mentorship and encouragement, such as being told to "just go take three lessons" to overcome initial apprehension about flying.
Simi is committed to making aviation careers more accessible, particularly for women and underserved communities, by helping Joby Aviation establish a flight school with clear, affordable pathways and scholarship opportunities for eVTOL pilots.
She believes eVTOL aircraft will revolutionize aviation and offer pilots a more balanced lifestyle compared to traditional airline roles, promoting better work-life integration for those raising families.